GB2476259A

GB2476259A - Inflatable mattress

Info

Publication number: GB2476259A
Application number: GB0921997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis William Outram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Also published as: GB0921997D0

Abstract

An inflatable mattress 2 comprises an inflatable mattress portion 4 upon which a person lies during use and at least one tube 6 which is positioned along a longitudinal edge 8 of the mattress portion 4 such as to extend beyond a face 10 of the mattress portion 4 in the inflated condition. The at least one inflatable tube 6 may or may not be integral with the mattress portion 4. The mattress portion may be inflated using a valve 12, while the tube is inflated using valve 14. The mattress may be provided with a container (18, fig. 2) into which it is packed when deflated. More than one mattress may be joined together using releasable connectors (34, figure 5). The inflatable tube may serve to enable a mattress to be kept level on uneven or sloping ground, or may serve as a barrier to prevent the user from rolling off the mattress.

Description

AN INFLATABLE MATTRESS

This invention relates to an inflatable mattress.

When persons are camping, there are often occasions when sleeping is difficult due to sloping ground. The sloping ground tends to cause the persons to roll downwards and this interrupts a good nights sleep.

There are also occasions when persons sleeping in beds are at risk of falling out of the beds and injuring themselves. For example, when a young child is introduced to a bed from a cot, there is a danger that the young child will roll out of the bed during the night. Also, some elderly persons have a tendency to fall out of bed with the result that they may either injure themselves or spend the rest of the night on the floor because they are unable to get up by themselves and get back into bed.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided an inflatable mattress comprising an inflatable mattress portion on which a person lies during use of the inflatable mattress, and at least one tube which is positioned along a longitudinal edge of the mattress portion and such as to extend beyond a face of the mattress portion in the inflated condition of the inflatable mattress.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the inflatable mattress may be one in which the face is a lower face, and in which the tube acts as a levelling tube.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the mattress may include first valve means for inflating and deflating the mattress portion, and second valve means for inflating and deflating the tube, and the mattress portion and the tube being independent of each other for inflation purposes whereby the mattress portion is inflatable via the first valve means to a first required pressure for enabling the inflatable mattress to be slept on, and whereby the tube is inflatable via the second valve means to a second required pressure for causing the tube to be of a height which levels the inflatable mattress when the inflatable mattress is being used on a sloping surface, or which causes the inflatable mattress to have a required slope when the inflatable mattress is being used on a flat surface.

When the inflatable mattress is being used on a sloping surface, then the sloping surface may be ground on which a person is camping. Camping sites often have sloping grounds. When the inflatable mattress is on a flat surface, then the surface may be the surface of a bed, and the inflatable mattress may then be caused to slope to one side to stop a child or an elderly person falling out of the bed. For example, the mattress may be caused to slope towards a wall so that the child or an elderly person will be caused to sleep towards the middle of the bed or to roll towards the wall, and thus cannot fall off a side of a bed opposite the wall.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable mattress may be one in which the face is an upper face, and in which the tube acts as a barrier. In this second embodiment of the invention, the tube may advantageously act as a barrier to stop a child or an elderly person falling out of bed. More specifically, the inflatable mattress may be placed on a bed, for example on top of a base of the bed or on top of a non-inflatable mattress on the bed, and then the tube can be inflated to a required height to stop the person falling out of the bed.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the inflatable mattress riay include first valve means for inflating and deflating the mattress portion, and second valve means for inflating and deflating the tube, and the mattress portion and the tube being independent of each other for inflation purposes whereby the mattress portion is inflatable via the first valve means to a first required pressure for enabling the inflatable mattress to be slept on, and whereby the tube is inflatable via the second valve means to a second required pressure for causing the tube to be of a height which acts as the barrier.

Alternatively, if desired, the inflatable mattress in the second embodiment of the invention may be one which includes a single valve means for inflating and deflating both the mattress portion and the tube. In this case, the pressure in the mattress portion and the tube will be the same.

The tube may be integral with the mattress portion and not separable from the mattress portion.

Alternatively, the tube may be not integral with the mattress portion and is separable from the mattress portion. In this case, the inflatable mattress may include securing means for securing the tube to the mattress portion. The securing means may be cords, Velcro (Registered Trade Mark), or quick release buckles, for securing the tube in position. Other types of securing means may be employed.

The inflatable mattress may be one in which there is only one of the tubes. Alternatively, the inflatable mattress may be one in which there are two of the tubes, there being one of the tubes along each longitudinal edge of the mattress portion.

The inflatable mattress may be a single inflatable mattress for a single person. Alternatively, the inflatable mattress may be a double inflatable mattress for two persons.

The inflatable mattress may include a container for receiving the inflatable mattress when it is deflated. The container is preferably a bag.

The container may have closure means. The closure means may be a cord or string closure means. The closure means may be a pull closure means in the form of a draw cord, a draw string, or Velcro (Registered Trade Mark).

The inflatable mattress may include fastener means for fastening two or more of the inflatable mattresses together when the inflatable mattresses are inflated and are positioned side by side. The fastener means is preferably a plurality of clips. The clips are preferably quick-release clips. Other types of fastener means may be employed.

The inflatable mattress may have a coating on its upper side for providing a warm and/or an anti-slip facility. The coating may be a flock coating.

* The tube or tubes will usually be of a circular cross-section. Tubes of other cross-sectional shapes may be employed, so that, for example, the tube or tubes may be of square or circular cross-section. If desired, the tube or tubes may have a cross-sectional shape which is part circular with a flat base.

The inflatable mattress of the present invention may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials. Thus, for example, the inflatable mattress of the present invention may be made of those materials currently employed for making known inflatable mattresses. The inflatable mattress may be made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or another plastics material. Where a container is employed, then this will usually be a thin flexible container for example made of any suitable an appropriate plastics material such for example as nylon.

Where valve means are employed, then the valve means may be simple tubes and stoppers. Other valve means may be employed including more complex types of valve means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first inflatable mattress of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second inflatable mattress of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a third inflatable mattress of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a fourth inflatable mattress of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a fifth inflatable mattress of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an inflatable mattress 2 comprising an inflatable mattress portion 4 on which a person lies during use of the inflatable mattress 2. The inflatable mattress 2 also comprises an inflatable tube 6 which is positioned along a longitudinal edge 8 of the mattress portion 4. As shown in Figure 1, the tube 6 is on a face in the form of a lower face 10 of the mattress portion 4.

The inflatable mattress 2 includes first valve means 12 for inflating and deflating the mattress portion 4, and second valve means 14 for inflating and deflating the tube 6. The mattress portion 4 and the tube 6 are independent of each other for inflation purposes. Thus the mattress portion 4 is inflatable via the first valve means 12 to a first required pressure for enabling the inflatable mattress 2 to be slept on. The tube 6 is inflatable via the second valve means 14 to a second required pressure for causing the tube 6 to be of a required height. This required height of the tube 6 may be a height which levels the inflatable mattress 2 when the inflatable mattress 2 is being used on a sloping surface such for example as sloping ground of a camping site. The required height may alternatively be that which causes the inflatable mattress 2 to have a required slope when the inflatable mattress 2 is being used on a flat surface such for example as on a bed. With such a use on a bed, the inflatable mattress 2 may be given a slope which causes a person sleeping on the bed, either on the inflatable mattress 2 or on a non-inflatable mattress positioned on top of the inflatable mattress 2, to tend to roll towards the middle of the bed and thus away from a side in which the person might roll out of bed during the night.

In Figures 2 -5, similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

In Figure 2, there is shown an inflatable mattress 16 which is like the inflatable mattress 2 of Figure 1, but which is also provided with a container 18 into which the inflatable mattress 16 is able to be packed when the inflatable mattress 16 is in a deflated condition. The container 18 is in the form of bag having a mouth 20 which is closed bya draw string 22.

Figure 3 shows an inflatable mattress 24 which is like the inflatable mattress 2 shown in Figure 1. However, with the inflatable mattress 24, there is an inflatable tube 26 which is positioned along the longitudinal edge 8 of the mattress portion 4, rather than on the lower face 10 as occurs with the inflatable mattress 2 shown in Figure 1. Nevertheless, the tube 26 still extends beyond the lower face 10 of the mattress portion 4 in the inflated condition of the inflatable mattress 24.

Figure 4 shows an inflatable mattress 28 which is like the inflatable mattress 16 shown in Figure 2, except that the tube 6 is positioned on a face which is an upper face 30 of the inflatable mattress 28, rather than on a lower face 10.

Figure 5 shows a first inflatable mattress 32 which is like the inflatable mattress 16 shown in Figure 2 but which is additionally provided with fastener means in the form of two clips 34, and a second inflatable tube 36 which is like the inflatable tube 6 and which is positioned along an opposite edge of the mattress portion 4 as shown. Figure 5 also shows a second inflatable mattress 38 which is basically the same as the mattress 32 except that the second inflatable mattress 38 does not have the second inflatable tube 36.

The clips 34 are for fastening the inflatable mattresses 32, 38 together when they are inflated and positioned side by side as shown. The clips 34 are quick release clips so that the inflatable mattresses 32, 38 are easily secured together and detached from each other as may be required.

The inflatable mattresses shown in the drawings are easily and cheaply manufactured. They are able to be used in a variety of situations ensuring a good night's sleep and/or safety for the person sleeping.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the tubes may be of any appropriate diameter, for example 7 inches (17.8cm) when fully inflated. Various plastics materials may be employed for making all or parts of the inflatable mattresses, the materials including polyvinyl chloride and nylon. The inflatable mattresses may be single inflatable mattresses for single persons or they may be double inflatable mattresses for two persons.

Single mattresses can be connected to single mattresses, double mattresses can be connected to double mattresses, or single and double mattresses may be connected together as may be desired. The mattresses may have two tubes, so that a user can have the choice of inflating whichever tube is required in dependence upon circumstances of use. If desired two tubes may be inflated, for example for instances where the tubes are to provide a protective function for stopping persons falling out of bed during the night.

The first and second valve means 12, 14 may be pipes with stoppers. Other types of valve means may however be employed. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings, and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

The inflatable mattress may be manufactured and sold under the Registered Trade Mark ROLLMEOVER.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An inflatable mattress comprising an inflatable mattress portion on which a person lies during use of the inflatable mattress, and at least one tube which is positioned along a longitudinal edge of the mattress portion and such as to extend beyond a face of the mattress portion in the inflated condition of the inflatable mattress.
2. An inflatable mattress according to claim I in which the face is a lower face, and in which the tube acts as a levelling tube.
3. An inflatable mattress according to claim 2 and including first valve means for inflating and deflating the mattress portion, and second valve means for inflating and deflating the tube, and the mattress portion and the tube being independent of each other for inflation purposes whereby the mattress portion is inflatable via the first valve means to a first required pressure for enabling the inflatable mattress to be slept on, and whereby the tube is inflatable via the second valve means to a second required pressure for causing the tube to be of a height which levels the inflatable mattress when the inflatable mattress is being used on a sloping surface, or which causes the inflatable mattress to have a required slope when the inflatable mattress is being used on a flat surface.
4. An inflatable mattress according to claim 1 in which the face is an upper face, and in which the tube acts as a barrier.
5. An inflatable mattress according to claim 4 and including first valve means for inflating and deflating the mattress portion, and second valve means for inflating and deflating the tube, and the mattress portion and the tube being independent of each other for inflation purposes whereby the mattress portion is inflatable via the first valve means to a first required pressure for enabling the inflatable mattress to be slept on, and whereby the tube is inflatable via the second valve means to a second required pressure for causing the tube to be of height which acts as the barrier.
6. An inflatable mattress according to claim 4 and including a single valve means for inflating and deflating both mattress parts of the tube.
7. An inflatable mattress according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tube is integral with the mattress portion and not separable from the mattress portion.
8. An inflatable mattress according to any one of claims 1 -6 in which the tube is not integral with the mattress portion and is separable from the mattress portion.
9. An inflatable mattress according to claim 8 and including securing means for securing the tube to the mattress portion.
10. An inflatable mattress according to any one of the preceding claims in which there is only one of the inflatable tubes.
11. An inflatable mattress according to any one of claims 1 -9 in which there are two of the inflatable tubes, there being one of the inflatable tubes along each longitudinal edge of the mattress portion.
12. An inflatable mattress according to any one of the preceding claims and which is a single inflatable mattress for a single person.
13. An inflatable mattress according to any one of claims 1 -11 and which is a double inflatable mattress for two persons.
14. An inflatable mattress according to any one of the preceding claims and including a container for receiving the inflatable mattress when it is deflated.
15. An inflatable mattress according to claim 14 in which the container is a bag.
16. An inflatable mattress according to claim 15 in which the container has closure means.
17. An inflatable mattress according to claim 16 in which the closure means is a draw cord, a draw string, or Velcro (Registered Trade Mark).
18. An inflatable mattress according to any one of the preceding claims and including fastener means for fastening two or more of the inflatable mattresses together when the inflatable mattresses are inflated and are positioned side by side.
19. An inflatable mattress according to claim 18 in which the fastener means is a plurality of clips.
20. An inflatable mattress substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.